Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Kirrie keep their cool to lift badminton title
THERE was a thrilling finish to the Gents’ Badminton Doubles League Division 1.
Kirriemuir, Carnoustie Panbride and Roseangle all went into the final fixture with 17 points and all with a chance of the title.
Kirriemuir had the slight advantage having a much superior sets difference record.
Roseangle faced old rivals NCR needing a win and hoping that Kirrie failed to win their clash with Carnoustie Panbride.
It was tight early on with a win apiece and Roseangle took a narrow 2-1 lead into the final two games with John Dunn and Thomas Munro clinching a 4-1 victory with a 21-19, 21-14 in the penultimate game.
With that match finishing first, Roseangle faced a nervous wait to discover the outcome of the other deciding match. In this one, leaders Kirriemuir took an early 2-0 lead and it was 3-1 with two to play.
This ruled Carnoustie out of the title race, but Roseangle still had hope if Carnoustie could win the final two games. Kirrie held their nerve, though, and wins in both opening rubbers sealed the title in what eventually was also a 4-1 win.
A superb achievement from Kirriemuir, who only joined the association two years ago and have now won the Division 2 and Division 1 titles in successive years. Callan Mckenna starred for Kirrie on the day with three wins.
The race to top the rankings was equally as exciting with quite a few in contention prior to the last matches and it was a double triumph for Kirriemuir as Lachlan
Mulford pipped Roseangle’s John Dunn by a single point.
In Division 2, Nomads were already all but crowned champions and that was officially confirmed as Abertay University were unable to fulfil their final fixture. A deserved title win for this predominantly young Nomads side.
Monifieth Grove secured second place with a 5-0 win v David Lloyd, with Bryan Young and Brian Flynn having three wins apiece and Brian’s victories moving him to the top of the rankings above Nomads youngster Luca Iannetta who has had a superb inaugural season.
It was a busy day in the Ladies’ Doubles for Pick ’n’ Mix with two fixtures. First up was a match against Carnoustie, with nothing to choose between the teams and the final result a 3-3 draw.
Louise Masey starred in this one with three wins.
They then faced Roseangle in another tight affair, with Louise and Kerry Smith doubling up to play in both matches. This went down to the final game with a 21-13, 21-16 win by Louise and Gill Ross sealing a 3-1 triumph for Pick ’n’ Mix – their first win of the season which lifted them up to third place.
Louise had a superb day with six wins over the two matches.
RESULTS: Division One – Pick ’n’ Mix 3, Roseangle Ladies 1; Kirriemuir Gents 4, Carnoustie Gents 1; Roseangle Gents 4, NCR Gents 1; Carnoustie Ladies 3, Pick ’n’ Mix 3.
Division Two – Abertay University Gents 0, Nomads Gents 6 (match conceded); Monifieth Grove Gents 5, David Lloyd Gents 0.